Xcel Energy is preparing for severe weather in Colorado, with strong winds and increased wildfire risk expected to begin Tuesday, February 17. The company notes that low snowpack levels, warm and dry conditions, and dry vegetation could lead to large and fast-spreading wildfires.
According to Xcel Energy, the risk of wildfires will rise as strong winds may damage power lines and cause outages. These weather conditions are anticipated to peak on Tuesday and continue through Thursday.
To address these risks, Xcel Energy plans to activate Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) across eastern Colorado within the next 48-72 hours. EPSS makes power lines more sensitive so they can instantly cut off electricity if an issue such as a tree branch or other object is detected touching the line. “These settings do not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power. If there is an outage while these settings are activated, it is the result of an issue on the power line,” according to Xcel Energy.
The company explains that when EPSS is active and an outage occurs, crews must visually inspect power lines before restoring service. This could result in longer outages for affected customers. More information about the restoration process is available on Xcel Energy’s website.
Another option for wildfire risk mitigation is a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), which involves turning off electricity in targeted areas when wildfire risks are extremely high and EPSS measures are insufficient. However, Xcel Energy says that “currently, a PSPS is not being considered because the company believes it is unlikely weather conditions will meet PSPS criteria.” Despite this, customers may still experience outages due to high winds.
Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and various data sources to decide how best to protect public safety. Factors such as high winds, low humidity, and dry ground conditions play a key role in their risk models. These models are updated regularly based on new data from sources including the National Weather Service’s Fire Weather Watch for parts of Colorado through Tuesday.
Customers are encouraged by Xcel Energy to take steps now to prepare for possible wildfires and outages. This includes reviewing contact information in their MyAccount profiles.
For customers who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity, Xcel Energy suggests signing up for its Safe for Colorado program, which provides extra support during severe weather events. The company also advises all customers using medical equipment at home to prepare backup power supplies.
To stay informed during outages, customers should keep account details current in My Account and monitor the statewide outage map for updates on service restoration times.
Xcel Energy recommends assembling a home emergency kit with essential items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, batteries, backup phone chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords, manufacturer’s instructions for manual operation of electric doors like garage doors, and important phone numbers for both residential (800-895-1999) and business (800-481-4700) inquiries.
Customers can report outages via several methods: using the Xcel Energy mobile app from either Apple App Store or Google Play; online at xcelenergy.com/out; texting OUT or STAT to 98936; or calling 1-800-895-1999 with prompts available through an automated system designed for quick reporting.
The company continues investing in its electric systems with efforts aimed at reducing wildfire risks while limiting disruptions’ size and duration. Additional preparedness tips can be found on its website.
Xcel Energy serves millions of customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. The company states: “We make energy work better for customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar — delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient and sustainable energy.”
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